[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2-E3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO TODD PATKIN, YOUNG LEADER AND PHILANTHROPIST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 3, 2006

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in paying 
tribute a young man who is part of the new generation of philanthropic 
leaders--Todd Patkin of Massachusetts. Todd is an impressive young man, 
and although he has just turned 40, he has been remarkably successful 
in the business world and is now devoting his life to helping others.
  Todd grew up in the Boston area, where he graduated from Tufts 
University. He married, had a family, and worked in the family auto 
parts business for the next 18 years. Using his amazing organizational 
and business talents, the company became remarkably successful,

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expanding from 18 to 62 stores in the New England and New York area. 
His business acumen was recognized in 2004 by Auto International 
Associate when he was named ``Young Executive of the Year.''
  Mr. Speaker, Todd recently sold his regional business operations to 
the second largest retailer in the country, giving him the financial 
freedom to pursue his passion to help others.
  One of his major philanthropic initiatives has been to assist his 
friend, Gary Marino, to help Americans children and adults with 
problems of obesity and poor nutrition. Todd is funding the making of a 
major motion picture which focuses on Gary's life story and on his 
``Million Calorie March'' from Florida to Boston in which took place in 
2005.
  Working with opera star Andrea Delgudice, Todd also founded the Todd 
G. Patkin Opportunity Performing Art Center. It brings the highest 
quality vocal, dance and acting instruction to its students, many of 
whom are from the less-advantages areas of Brockton, Massachusetts, and 
are receiving full scholarships because of their economic need.
  Todd recently made a substantial contribution to the Boston Medical 
Center for its Todd and Yadira Patkin Sickle Cell Anemia Clinic. He has 
also provided significant financial support to the Boston chapter of 
the Anti-Defamation League, where he and Andrew Tarsy will be managing 
a new initiative to combat bigotry and intolerance in greater Boston.
  Todd has had a positive impact internationally as well, Mr. Speaker. 
He supports two charities in the State of Israel--the Jewish National 
Fund, which is chaired by Ronald Lauder, and the Yemin Orde Youth 
Village headed by Chaim Peri. The village is perhaps the most advanced 
orphanage in Israel and the world. It focuses on helping children, who 
frequently have been orphaned under devastating circumstances, to 
become happy and productive members of society. Today over two-thirds 
of the 300 children in the village are Jews of Ethiopian descent.
  Todd was the first philanthropist in September of this year to 
provide one million dollars to the Jewish National Fund to help it deal 
with some 2,500 displaced people who left the Gaza when the Israeli 
government left that area. The Israeli government was unable to assist 
them since these families failed to provide information to the 
government about their assistance needs.
  Mr. Speaker, Todd Patkin is a remarkable man, whose philanthropic 
efforts give me great hope for the next generation of leaders in our 
country who are now emerging. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to him. Todd has set a remarkable example that I hope 
many other young leaders will follow.